Hafez Salama, former leader of the popular resistance in Suez, on Thursday called for forming a presidential council to save Egypt and urged President Mohamed Mursi and his brotherhood to withdraw from the political scene.

Sheikh Salama warned Mursi and the Brotherhood of internal and external conspiracies against them and the cabinet, adding that Mursi can only stand up to these conspiracies with actions not words.

"If you and your group cannot solve the crises of the people, then at least quit to retain your dignity and that of your group which has been around for more than 80 years," Salama told Mursi in a statement.

The people who revolted against corruption expected to see a regime that can change us to the better but they were surprised to find that corruption was rampant because of you, he stated.